Month: January 2024

“Whoa,” my buddy Jason exclaimed as he scrolled through his phone. “This is great news for Downtown!”

Downtown could use some good news right now.

It was an announcement by Mexican restaurant TACOnganas that they are opening a location down here. It’ll be at 119 North Danny Thomas Blvd., at the intersection of Adams, near the Wendy’s on the corner of Washington. This’ll be a fantastic addition to our neighborhood, and a great lunch option for our friends who work at St. Jude.

But that’s not all the fast-food news I have for you this morning! According to a permit filed in November, Chick-fil-A may be opening a location at Thomas and A.W. Willis. Again, great for St. Jude employees.

Itta Bena, the restaurant atop B.B. King’s club at Second and Beale, will be closed most of January for renovations. Heard that from an employee yesterday.

The parking situation for Cossitt Library has improved. You can now park for 2 hours in the Premium Parking garage at 60 Madison for $2. Only available during library hours and this is the ONLY Premium location offering this deal. Use promo code READ at checkout.

I hear there’s a new policy at Max’s Sports Bar: If you spill a drink there, you have to drink out of a sippy cup for the remainder of your stay.

It’s International French Onion Soup Day.

What’s up with people ordering food to go at restaurants, then sitting at the bar for the next 45 minutes opening and closing the to-go container, eating a bite at a time until all the food is gone, then throwing the container away? If you order to-go, when your food arrives, pay your bill and FUCKIN’ LEAVE!!! For years I’ve seen “Food ordered to go must be consumed off site” signs at Beale Street restaurants like Blues City Cafe and Alfred’s and wondered what that was all about. Now I totally get it!

The new BBQ festival to be held in Tom Lee Park the third weekend of May, the one that will be the rival to Memphis in May BBQ Fest and will be held the same weekend, now has a name: SmokeSlam: The World’s Ultimate BBQ Showdown.

The Grizzlies host the L.A. Clippers tonight at 7. You can watch on Bally Sports. First 5000 fans in attendance get a Jaren Jackson Jr. growth chart.

Race for Reconciliation, originally scheduled for MLK Day this Monday, has been postponed until September due to the forecast for snow and extreme cold next week.

High Noon’s hard seltzer is now the #1 spirit in the U.S.

Fruit Stripe gum has been discontinued.

Memphis 901 FC seeks a social media and content coordinator.

Auto-Chlor seeks a multimedia & social media specialist.

Comedian Jo Koy comes to the Orpheum Saturday at 8.

I think the hotel I’m staying in must have reset the Wi-Fi router after I complained this morning. Yesterday the signal was anywhere from “barely creeping along” to “nonexistent.” Today it’s “not fast by any means but workable.” Thank goodness for small favors. I can’t live without Internet, especially during a winter storm.

That’s all. If I have Wi-Fi I’ll probably be back tomorrow with more news.

It took overtime for the Memphis Tigers to defeat UT-San Antonio 107-101 last night at FedExForum. Next up: On the road at Wichita State at noon Sunday.

The Grizzlies have waived C Bismack Biyombo in order to open up a roster spot to sign former two-way player Vince Williams Jr. to a 3-year deal. This means heavy minutes at center for Xavier Tillman Sr. in the future.

In other Grizz news, G Marcus Smart will be out for 6 weeks.

Today is National Hot Toddy Day.

From 60 to sub-freezing: That’s our next 2 days.

Y’all, I don’t know if my posts are going to be very long or frequent through Wednesday. The hotel I’m in has Wi-Fi but the connection speed is reminiscent of a 2400 baud modem connection from 1994.

The good news is, I now have a second hotel reservation next Wednesday (the 17th) through the following Monday. Thanks to the people who set that up.

That’s all for now. This Wi-Fi is killing me.

A very generous friend, concerned about my safety in the upcoming bitterly cold temperatures, has put me up in a motel room until next Wednesday, at which point he’ll evaluate the forecast and determine whether I need to stay longer.

The motel is on the outskirts of Downtown. I evaluate the distance of everything by how long it would take to walk to Bardog and this is about a 25-minute walk. There are several fast-food restaurants and a Walgreens within a short distance.

The motel room is very basic but it does have a refrigerator and microwave. Most importantly, it is warm and the bed is soft and comfortable.

So I am safe for the short term and from the impending bad weather. My friends Allie Cat, Butt Slut #1, and obviously the person who got me the room know the exact location where I’m staying.

It’s 9:45 AM and I’m about to attempt to figure out this shower, which is unlike anything I have seen before. About 1:30 or 2:00 I plan to head down to Bardog and then later I will pop over to Local. I know, some of you are thinking, “Paul, with your problems, the LAST place you need to be is a bar…” I won’t be going there to drink. I want to see my friends.

Those of you who have read some of my stuff on Medium know I have a gratitude practice. I still maintain it daily. I am so incredibly LUCKY to have a large group of wonderful people in my life. As I’ve said many times on here, I am wealthy in friends.

That’s all for now. Maybe I’ll get back on here and do a Thursday Update news post after I shower.

As you are aware if you’ve been outside, it got very cold last night! It’s 8:40 AM as I type this and Weatherbug has the temperature is 25 / feels like 12.

And unfortunately, this is just the beginning.  MemphisWeather.net says temps will be somewhat close to normal today (47/36), although with 13 MPH winds from the southwest. Thursday it’ll actually get above normal (56/51), although very windy and with a chance of storms at night.

Friday is when the shitshow begins. The high will be 56 early in the day and then the temp will begin to fall. After that we’re talkin’ 20s or worse at night for the foreseeable future. Tuesday MWN calls for us to start the day in the “upper 0s” and some sources think a low of -1 is possible that day.

I had to walk to the Health Department at 814 Jefferson yesterday afternoon to get a copy of my COVID vaccination card. That is a requirement to get into most shelters and congregate sleeping locations here in town. Oh my God that walk in the cold wind was no fun.

From there I went on to Room in the Inn, a wonderful church-based organization that provides places to sleep during the cold months. Their number of beds is limited and changes night to night, though, and women and children have precedence. I didn’t get a bed.

By that point it was about 5 PM. The Hospitality Hub would open its warming center, but not until 9, and it was a mile walk away. I gathered my two jackets and my backpack. By that point I was hunched over and wheezing from my day’s adventures. I could only make it about 100 feet without stopping to lean against a lamp post or bike rack.

I decided to give up on my walk to the Hospitality Hub and instead head to Local on Main. “This probably means I’ll be on the streets late tonight,” I reasoned. “But at least until 1 or 2 I can be warm and among friends.” Friends are everything to me. They make my world go ’round.

It turned out to be a good call. I did have friends there and they bought me some Meaty Mac with short rib for dinner.

By 11:30 or so I had landed an offer of a warm place to crash for the night. I got a full 8 hours’ sleep, which is about 7 hours and 45 minutes more sleep than I got the previous 3 nights combined. I am so very grateful to the people who helped me last night.

And now, on to the news…

The Grizzlies beat Dallas 120-103 last night with no Ja and no JJJ. Desmond Bane led the team with 32.

The Tigers are at home tonight vs. UTSA at 7:30.. You’ll need an ESPN subscription to watch this one on TV.

From the DM: Meet the 2014 Blues Hall of Fame class

Today is Houseplant Appreciation Day.

Charcuterie company Feast & Graze is moving to Poplar Plaza.

Police commissioner CJ Davis failed to win approval for reappointment in a City Council committee vote last night. The vote was 6-7 against and is non-binding.

There’s free admission at the National Civil Rights Museum Monday for MLK Day. List of Monday’s activities

There will be a wine dinner at Bishop on Wednesday, January 24.

Little Bettie pizza kitchen inside Wiseacre Downtown will host a watch party for its episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives this Friday at 8 PM.

That’s all for this morning. Back sometime soon with more news.

Max’s Sports Bar is fire-saling select bourbons, scotches, and a rum to make way for the new.

Bass Pro Shops seeks a Live Exhibits Supervisor.

LEO Events seeks a vice president of finance.

Penny’s Memphis Tigers have moved up 2 spots to number 13 in the latest AP poll.

Blind Bear will open at 11 Monday for a special MLK Day brunch. Like MLK, I too have a dream. Mine’s about PBR.

Ja Morant will be out for the rest of the season with a labrum tear. Hello 2024 draft lottery!

Stylist cuts off customer’s braids over payment. You just keep on being your ghettofabulous self, Memphis.

Winter weather may be coming next week. Bread and milk and milk and bread and…

My friends are nagging me to get a to-do done, so I guess I’ll hit Publish now. Back tomorrow probably.

I saw a four-leaf clover today.
I thought about picking it and taking it with me.
But I left the little clover where it was
So that others might enjoy seeing it as much as I did.

I hope it brings me as much luck from afar
As it would if I were carrying it with me right now.

One person – or creature, rather – who may not have such good luck today is Steve the Squirrel who hangs out in front of Local on Main. This morning I walked through the parking lot at Second and Gayoso, a short distance from Local – and there was a hawk perched atop the lamp post.

Lenny’s at Main and Peabody Place will begin closing at 6 for the foreseeable future.

Let’s have a look at Memphis basketball this week:

• Sunday, January 7: Memphis Tigers at home vs. SMU, 4:00 PM. TV: ESPN
• Sunday, January 7: Memphis Grizzlies away at Phoenix Suns, 7:00 PM. TV: Bally Sports
• Tuesday, January 9: Memphis Grizzlies away at Dallas Mavericks, 7:30 PM. TV: Bally Sports
• Wednesday, January 10: Memphis Tigers at home vs. UTSA, 7:30 PM. TV: ESPN+
• Friday, January 12: Memphis Grizzlies at home vs. Los Angeles Clippers, 7:00 PM. Free Jaren Jackson Jr. growth chart to the first 5000 fans. TV: Bally Sports
• Saturday, January 13: Memphis Grizzlies at home vs. New York Knicks, 7:00 PM. Free Marcus Smart phone (get it? smartphone) stand to the first 5000 fans. TV: Bally Sports
• Sunday, January 14: Memphis Tigers away at Wichita State, 12:00 PM. TV: ESPN2

Today is National I’m Not Going to Take it Anymore Day.

Today is also National Pass Gas Day. To celebrate, I recommend a 10-pack of bean burritos from the Taco Bell at Third and Crump. Sorry, I don’t always shop local.

The Shelby County public defender’s office seeks a legal secretary.

Did you know teachers get 20% off food and drink at Aldo’s Pizza Pies all day, every day? Must show valid ID.

TV game show host Wink Martindale got his star on the Beale Street Walk of Fame recently.

If you haven’t been to the Flying Fish lately, you’re missing out on some tasty additions to the menu:

• Gator nuggets (starter)
• Gator poor boy (regular or spicy)
• Fried catfish, grilled tilapia, salmon, or shrimp tacos
• Shrimp jambalaya
• Fried catfish jambalaya
• Crawfish jambalaya
• Gator platter – rice, fried gator, crawfish jambalaya, and 2 pair frog legs
• Andouille sausage link (add-on)

Houston, we have a problem.

No no no, that’s not quite it.

DALLAS, we have a problem.

You see, I’m at Bardog right now. There are not a lot of bar TVs in here. The best of those TVS should be tuned to ESPN at 4:00 for SMU vs. 15 Memphis basketball.

The problem with that? Butt Slut #1 is going to trot her happy ass in here at 3:25 and ask for the Cowboys to be put on TV.

Now, I did agree to cheer for her Cowboys after she named her stuffed hippo after me. But that meant AGAINST OTHER NFL TEAMS. Not for the Cowboys to be turned on when OUR MEMPHIS TIGERS are playing.

We’ll see how this plays out. Tired of typing. Back tomorrow with more news.

Bedrock Eats & Sweets posted the following this morning:

Bedrock’s downtown storefront is starting the process of closing down!! Don’t be sad! We’re still gonna be around! Meal prep, personal cheffing and food trucking will be the order of the day moving forward. We’ll be open until 1 today, closed tomorrow and then will release an abbreviated schedule. We love you guys. It’s been an incredible 10 years.

**please be patient if you stop by and be kind to our sweet staff

Congrats to the Grizzlies, who got a very nice 127-113 win over the Los Angeles Lakers last night! Jaren dropped in 31 and Marcus Smart had 29.

A new Tennessee bill would ban emotional support dogs from restaurants and grocery stores.

Today is Cuddle Up Day.

Bardog will host a comedy show on Saturday, January 27.

At Local on Main Thursday-Saturday 12 AM-3 AM: Beer Bust with $20 bottomless drafts and $15 flatbreads.

• Thursday: Wiseacre Tiny Bomb
• Friday: Grind City Godhopper
• Saturday: Shiner Bock

Lunch yesterday!

This is the duck popper flatbread from Local on Main. Bacon, gouda, jalapeno, cream cheese, BBQ. Not even the Peabody’s duckmaster could fit another piece of duck on there!

New soul food place Downtown – well, at least it’s new to me:

Straight Out the Pot is at 260 Poplar. I couldn’t find a menu online.

Hotel Indigo seeks a GM.

Good Fortune Co. dazzled TV food host Guy Fieri.  Fieri tried the crawfish dumplings and the Big City Ramen.

That’s it for today’s post.

SAVE THE DATE: Those of you who frequent the same Downtown hotspots I do know a high school teacher named Jenn. She’s not only a talented educator, but a talented singer as well – as you know if you’ve ever heard her at Blind Bear’s karaoke night. Jenn fronts a band called Island 45, but up to this point, you had to travel to the other side of town to hear them.

That changes Saturday, January 27. That night Island 45 plays live at the Blind Bear. Come show them much love and support! I hear it will be a BIG 30th birthday celebration (a few days early) for a beloved member of our group as well.

In more immediate news, Terry Greene Trio plays Blind Bear tonight.

Penny’s Tigers squeaked by Tulsa 78-75 last night. Caleb Mills went out with a knee injury. The Tigers are back at home Sunday, hosting SMU at 4 on ESPN.

Grizzlies on TV this weekend:

• Friday, January 5: away at Los Angeles Lakers, 9:00 PM. TV: Bally Sports
• Sunday, January 7: away at Phoenix Suns, 7:00 PM. TV: Bally Sports

Today is National Whipped Cream Day.

Former St. Louis Cardinal All-Star Ozzie Smith will be in town on MLK Day to receive a Grizzlies MLK Sports Legacy Award. Wonder if The Wizard of Oz will turn backflips across the stage?

Just in time for winter, Bardog has bar-themed sweaters. They’re $40.

Room in the Inn, a wonderful organization that helps connect people with a meal and a place to sleep for the night during the cold months (November to March), seeks a Family Advocate.

The Orpheum seeks an education & engagement coordinator.

The Metal Museum seeks a marketing coordinator and a museum store assistant.

From FOX 13: Edge District business owner expresses frustration at recent car breaking at her business

The musical Company is at the Orpheum through Sunday.

The Memphis Barbecue Network has been announced as the sanctioning body for the new BBQ festival to be held the third weekend in May to be held at Tom Lee Park.

I wonder if there’s ever been a BBQ team named Tom Lee “Pork”?

Sana Yoga is coming Downtown January 20. It will be in The Edge at 696 Madison. Follow the yoga studio on Facebook for the latest news.

Lesson I’ve learned this week: Hold your COVID vaccine card in the same reverence you do as your driver’s license and Social Security card. It seems preposterous in 2024, but a lot of nonprofit and quasi-governmental agencies still require proof you’re vacc’d before they can provide services. The Health Department on Jefferson can get you a copy of your card if you were vacc’d in Tennessee.

Tetris has been defeated.

Useful: There’s an app that scans your Lego blocks and tells you what you can make

Hotel Indigo seeks a front desk agent.

Specials today at Bardog:

• Carne asada tacos – topped with onions, cilantro, and salsa – 17
• Eggplant parmesan hoagie – 17
• Soup: Chicken & vegetable
• Dog: 2 eggs, bacon, sauteed onions, spicy mayo
• Mussels: Garlic, tomato, white wine
• Brownie
• Coconut cake

That’s all for now. Back maybe tomorrow.

It’s time I told you all what is going on with me.

I no longer have the apartment I had for the past 21 years. I fell too far behind on my rent. On November 1 the management company took me to court.

My bank balance fell negative for so long that First Tennessee closed my account in June. I’d had that account since 1987. No bank account means I can’t receive money transfers via Venmo, Cashapp, Zelle, etc. It also means I can’t work for a remote company and receive payment via bank transfer.

AT&T cut my cellular service off around September 10. That brought an end to the tour guide job I held this summer. The customer-service aspects of the job required that I had a phone. I still have my Phone and am able to jump on public Wi-Fi and use Apple iMessage to text many of my friends.

I’ve been out of my apartment since December 18. Since then I have mostly been couchsurfing thanks to incredibly generous friends. Two of them even paid for me a ticket to Bardog’s $150/person anniversary party. I greatly appreciated that, even though it wasn’t at the top of my “needs” list. It helped me feel like a whole person again, not “less-than” if that makes any sense.

Friends aware of my situation have bought me meals. I haven’t had to stand in any soup kitchen lines yet. Not that there’s a thing wrong with doing so.

Two nights I stayed out all night. On one of those nights I walked all the way from the Downtown core to Madison and Cooper. This was about 3 in the morning. The streets were deserted. No particular reason for going out there. I just needed to pass the time. I’m finding that boredom is my biggest enemy.

I have an outer jacket, two hoodies (one of them my famous PBR hoodie), a t-shirt, jeans, underwear, socks, and shoes in a backpack. Clothes to survive, but probably not appropriate work attire for many occupations.

I do have my driver’s license and Social Security card, and before I left the apartment for the last time I grabbed a copy of my birth certificate. So I’m good to go there.

I also grabbed my computer, its charger, and my iPhone and Apple Watch chargers before I left. So I’m connected. Through free public Wi-Fi I have a signal most of the time.

Five years ago, St. Peter Catholic Church commissioned me to create for them a pamphlet listing available resources for the homeless in the Downtown Memphis area. Through that research I became familiar with the Hospitality Hub, a tremendous clearinghouse of resources to help those experiencing homelessness get to a better place in life.

Today I plan to go to the Hub and see if they can help me with

• Transitional housing
• Employment, either through their vast connections or through their own Work Local program, where Hub clients can earn money (& a lunch) cleaning up blight
• Most of all, general advice on how to move forward given that I currently have no address, no working cell phone, no way to get mail, and no bank account

The Hub offers a lot of other services I don’t need personally, but which I want to mention just because I think the Hub is awesome!

• Help getting forms of government ID needed to work
• Help obtaining copies of birth certificates from states of birth
• Help applying for monthly disability checks
• Referrals to substance abuse counseling
• Referrals to mental health services
• Rides to and from job interviews and doctor appointments

Y’all, I plan to keep going with this blog and remaining your Downtown news source. Informing and entertaining all of you gives me purpose and true joy in my life. I hope this is not the end of our relationship.

Feel free to send me love, prayers, (gently worded) advice, and whatever else you’ve got for me. Best ways to do that, other than in-person:

1. E-mail me at paul.ryburn@gmail.com
2. Hit me up on Facebook Messenger
3. If you have an iPhone and we’re already connected on that platform, you can try there; but if that doesn’t work, try one of the other methods listed above

To those who have known about my situation the past three weeks and have helped me, I cannot say THANK YOU or I LOVE YOU enough to express the depth of gratitude I feel in my heart. I know some of you are frustrated with me for moving so slowly to reach out for help on my own. I apologize and will try to go faster – but please understand, accepting the reality of my current situation is a difficult mental exercise.

Thank you for reading. As I said, there is nothing which gives me joy as much as writing for all of you.